Dianthus plant named &#39;Neon Star&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of Dianthus named ‘Neon Star’ that is male sterile and characterized by intense magenta colored flowers, a compact habit, and a long flowering season. In combination these traits set ‘Neon Star’ apart from all other existing varieties of Dianthus known to the inventor.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The application for this new invention is co-pending with oneother application entitled Dianthus Plant Named ‘Red Dwarf’. ‘Red Dwarf’is derived from the same breeding program having the same inventor andfiling date as the present application entitled Dianthus ‘Neon Star’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a new and distinct dwarf varietyof Carnation that is grown for its compact habit and long flowering,fragrant, magenta blossoms. The new cultivar is known botanically asDianthus L. hybrid and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivarname ‘Neon Star’.

[0003] ‘Neon Star’ is the product of a breeding program conducted by theinventor in a cultivated area of Houndspool, Dawlish, Devon, UnitedKingdom. The primary focus of the breeding program was to produce dwarfvarieties with a wide range of bright colored perfume scented flowerswith a long flowering season. The breeding program was established in1969 in a cultivated area of Houndspool, Dawlish, Devon, United Kingdom.Open pollinated seedlings produced the female parent ‘Brehemen’(unpatented). The male parent is an unidentified Dianthus. The inventorbred ‘Neon Star’ in 1996 by induced hybridization.

[0004] ‘Neon Star’ is a male sterile hybrid produced by inducedhybridization and was selected by the inventor in 1997 for its intensemagenta flowers, compact habit and long flowering season. It isdistinguishable from the female parent plant by flower color, a longerflowering season and a more compact habit.

[0005] In comparison, the plant most similar to ‘Neon Star’ is Dianthus‘Whatfield Magenta’ (unpatented). ‘Neon Star’ differs from thecomparison variety in its stronger growth and longer flowering season.

[0006] Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was first accomplishedin 1997 by the inventor using softwood shoot cuttings in a cultivatedarea of Houndspool, Dawlish, Devon, United Kingdom. Since that time thecharacteristics of the new cultivar have been determined stable and arereproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and representthe characteristics of the new cultivar ‘Neon Star’. These traits incombination distinguish this cultivar from all other commercialvarieties known to the inventor. ‘Neon Star’ has not been tested underall possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed withvariations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions.

[0008] 1. Dianthus ‘Neon Star’ is male sterile.

[0009] 2. Dianthus ‘Neon Star’ exhibits fragrant magenta coloredflowers.

[0010] 3. Dianthus ‘Neon Star’ exhibits a dwarf, compact cushion habit.

[0011] 4. Dianthus ‘Neon Star’ reaches 6-7 cm. in height and 25 cm. inwidth at maturity.

[0012] 5. Dianthus ‘Neon Star’ is long flowering, blooming from April toOctober.

[0013] 6. Dianthus ‘Neon Star’ is hardy to minus 15° Centigrade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings illustrate the distinguishing traits ofthe new cultivar ‘Neon Star’. The drawing on sheet 1 illustrates anentire mature plant. The drawing on sheet 2 is a close-up view of theflower. The flowers are an intensely saturated magenta color with alight-reflecting surface that sparkles. These qualities cannot bereproduced accurately by photography and are therefore not captured inthese drawings. Both drawings are photographs of plants taken inHoundspool, Dawlish, Devon, United Kingdom in October 2001. No chemicalswere used in treating the illustrated plants. The drawings were madeusing conventional techniques and although colors may appear differentfrom actual colors due to light reflectance they are as accurate aspossible by conventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

[0015] The following is a detailed description of the new cultivar ‘NeonStar’. Data was collected from mature plants in the Houndspool, Dawlish,Devon, United Kingdom. The color determinations are in accordance withthe RHS Color Chart, 2001 Edition, of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used.

[0016] Botanical classification: Dianthus L. hybrid ‘Neon Star’.

[0017] Commercial classification: Hardy perennial.

[0018] Use: Container and landscape plant.

[0019] Parentage: ‘Neon Star’ is a hybrid that resulted from the inducedhybridization of the following plants:

[0020]Female parent.—Dianthus ‘Brehemen’ (unpatented).

[0021]Male parent.—Unidentified Dianthus.

[0022] Plant description:

[0023]Bloom period.—April to October.

[0024]Plant habit.—Dwarf, compact cushion habit.

[0025]Sexuality.—Monoecious.

[0026]Height.—6-7 cm. in height.

[0027]Width.—25 cm. in width.

[0028]Hardiness.—Hardy to minus 15° Centigrade.

[0029]Vigor.—200% of Dianthus ‘Fusilier’.

[0030]Type.—Perennial herb.

[0031]Root system.—Fine, fibrous, deep rooting system.

[0032]Propagation.—Propagation is accomplished with softwood shootcuttings.

[0033]Cultural requirements.—Plant in full sun and retentive,well-aerated sandy loam with a pH of 6.5-7.0. This variety needs a highlight intensity and long days.

[0034]Diseases and Pests.—Susceptible to known Dianthus pests anddisease but no other susceptibilities are known to the inventor.

[0035]Time required to produce roots.—2-3 weeks are needed to produceroots on initial cutting.

[0036]Temperature recommended for cuttings to produce roots.—The airtemperature needed is 15-18° Centigrade and the base heat needed is 21°Centigrade.

[0037]Crop time.—5-7 months are needed for a rooted cutting to reach afinished one-gallon container size.

[0038] Stem:

[0039]Shape.—Cylindrical.

[0040]Stem dimensions.—24 cm. in length and 0.25 cm. in diameter.

[0041]Stem surface.—Glabrous and waxy.

[0042]Stem color.—189B.

[0043]Branching.—Numerous basal breaks.

[0044]Internode length.—4-5 cm. between nodes.

[0045]Node color.—160D.

[0046]Node dimensions.—0.50 cm. in diameter and 0.50 cm. in height.

[0047] Foliage:

[0048]Type.—Evergreen.

[0049]Shape.—Linear.

[0050]Division.—Simple.

[0051]Apex.—Acute.

[0052]Base.—Concave.

[0053]Venation pattern.—Parallel.

[0054]Vein color (abaxial surface).—137A.

[0055]Vein color (adaxial surface).—137A.

[0056]Margins.—Entire.

[0057]Attachment.—Sessile.

[0058]Stipules.—None.

[0059]Petiole surface.—Glabrous.

[0060]Arrangement.—Opposite.

[0061]Surface (adaxial and abaxial).—Glabrous and waxy.

[0062]Leaf dimensions.—50 mm. in length and 4 mm. in width.

[0063]Leaf color (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—137A.

[0064]Fragrance.—None.

[0065] Flowers:

[0066]Type.—Raceme.

[0067]Persistent or self-cleaning.—Persistent.

[0068]Flower dimensions.—20 mm. in height and 35 mm. in diameter.

[0069]Flower shape.—Disc shaped.

[0070]Throat depth.—15 mm. in depth.

[0071]Aspect.—Facing upward.

[0072]Bud color.—144C at base and 59C on upper end.

[0073]Bud dimensions.—18 mm. in length and 4 mm. in width.

[0074]Bud shape.—Tubular and pointed.

[0075]Petals.—5 in number.

[0076]Petals fused or unfused.—Unfused.

[0077]Petal margin.—Slightly toothed 1-2 mm. deep.

[0078]Petal shape.—80° segment with a strap forming the tube attachedbelow the ovary.

[0079]Petal color (adaxial surface).—59A underlaid with 53B.

[0080]Petal color (abaxial surface).—53B.

[0081]Petal surface.—Glabrous.

[0082]Calyx dimensions.—4 mm. in width and 17 mm. in length.

[0083]Calyx color.—144C at base and 59C on upper end.

[0084]Calyx surface.—Glabrous.

[0085]Epicalyx color.—144C at base and 59C on upper end.

[0086]Number of sepals.—5 in number.

[0087]Sepals fused or unfused.—Fused.

[0088]Sepal shape.—Fused into a cylinder except for pointed apex.

[0089]Sepal margins.—Minutely toothed.

[0090]Sepal apex.—Pointed.

[0091]Peduncle dimensions.—100 mm. in length and 2 mm. in diameter.

[0092]Fragrance.—Subtle clove scent.

[0093] Reproductive organs:

[0094]Stamens.—10 in number. Stamen dimensions.—18 mm. in length and0.75 mm. in diameter.

[0095]Stamen color.—155A.

[0096]Anther color.—155A.

[0097]Pollen color.—155A.

[0098]Amount of pollen.—Large amount.

[0099]Anther dimensions.—3 mm. in length and 1 mm. in diameter.

[0100]Pistil.—2 but occasionally 3.

[0101]Pistil color.—The upper side is 64A and the lower side is 155A.

[0102]Pistil dimensions.—2 cm. in length and 1 mm. in diameter.

[0103]Pistil shape.—Fibril.

[0104]Stigma.—Two.

[0105]Stigma color.—The upper side is 64A and the lower side in 155A.

[0106]Stigma dimensions.—0.75 mm. in width and 25 mm. in length.

[0107]Ovary position.—Superior.

[0108]Ovary color.—144C.

[0109]Ovary shape.—Pointed cylinder.

[0110]Ovary dimensions.—8 mm. in height and 3 mm. in width.

[0111]Seed production:

[0112]Seed number.—1-10 seeds produced.

[0113]Seed shape.—Oval.

[0114]Seed surface.—Wrinkled surface.

[0115]Seed color.—202A.

[0116]Seed dimensions.—2 mm. in diameter and 3 mm. in length.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dianthus plant named ‘Neon Star’ asdescribed and illustrated herein.